Highlands in Bloom – Agoura Hills

My experience at Highlands in Bloom is something that I will always be grateful for. When I first came here, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but the people, structure, and environment made a bigger impact on me than I… could have ever imagined. Highlands provided me a safe space where I could work through my personal challenges while still feeling supported and understood. I especially appreciated the opportunities to get outside of the traditional treatment setting, connect with nature, build independence, and develop skills that I could actually carry with me after leaving. Looking back, Highlands in Bloom was so much more than a treatment center to me. It became a place where I was able to grow, reconnect with myself, and build a stronger foundation for my future. I’m incredibly thankful for the people who supported me throughout my time here and for everything I took away from the experience. I would genuinely recommend Highlands in Bloom to anyone looking for a place that prioritizes growth, connection, and whole-person wellbeing.

There's little I will be able to write in this review that will be sufficient in expressing my gratitude towards Highlands in Bloom and the owner, Deanna. I found Highlands in a particularly challenging period in my… life, and it was exactly what I needed to start my path to healing. The amount of care that the entire staff showed was deeply moving, from the therapists that I worked with (Megan, Stacy, and Emily), to all of the techs, to Chef Ryan, to the nurse Jenny, and every practitioner that hosted group sessions. Jeffrey also was inspiring, as he had such a genuine care for everyone in the house, and did so much to keep things running smoothly. The food was fantastic and healthy, and was a huge highlight of the stay. Ryan went out of his way to be considerate of everyone's dietary needs. The feeling that there was such a desire from the staff for everyone to heal and for everyone to be comfortable during their stay was what made all the difference, and they did an amazing job. The grounds themselves were also beautiful and really added to how enjoyable the stay was. While I was there, I had a medical emergency and ended up spending an extended period of time with Deanna that day. She told me about her own past health struggles and why she started Highlands. What stood out to me most is how much she genuinely cares, and how much she prioritizes making Highlands the most healing place possible, through the resources she's built into the house and by hiring the absolute best people for every role. It was clear to me that this is much more than just a business for her. It was incredibly inspiring, and it made me think about my own path forward in a completely different light. I could write all day about how much I loved and appreciated my stay here. If you're in a place where everyday life feels too hard to tackle on your own, Highlands truly felt like a home, and you couldn't be in better hands. The only thing I'd change is that I wish I'd stayed two or three months instead of one.

My experience at Highlands in Bloom was truly meaningful, and I’m deeply grateful for the support, care, and guidance I received. Thank you to Lisa, Jeffrey, Dr. Hill, therapists Stacy, Megan, Sam, Brooklyn, and Emily,… and facilitators Mel, Dennis, and Christopher for their compassion, insight, and attentiveness, all of which had a lasting positive impact on my progress. Chef Ryan’s thoughtful and delicious menu was also greatly appreciated. I wholeheartedly recommend Highlands in Bloom to anyone seeking support, healing, and a safe place to reconnect and find their footing.

Buckle up, this will be a long one. I have been a clinical director, supervisor, therapist, and client in multiple treatment centers so I have firsthand knowledge of how Highlands compares to others. This gorgeous… facility is by far and away the best I’ve experienced either in a professional or client capacity. I came in off of a relapse precipitated by mental health issues I had been avoiding by being a workaholic—unresolved trauma and profound grief. The structure and quiet were difficult for me at first (I called it “tranquil torture” for the first week) as I was completely unaccustomed to sitting with myself and my feelings. But the clinical and support staff are truly the best in the industry. I worked directly with the clinical director Stacy for EMDR, an LMFT named Megan for talk therapy and a student intern, Brooklyn for goal setting. They were absolutely brilliant—I felt so seen and supported here as wells of deep pain continued to come to the surface—I made progress in processing these things far beyond what I imagined I’d be able to do in 4 weeks. The support staff of case management, techs, facilitators, nursing, psychiatry and the chef were all integral to my healing as well. This is a team that works collaboratively to ensure that every client gets the utmost out of their stays. Particularly nice was being able to tell how much they genuinely like working there and care about the mission of this organization. Highlands is unique in that it is truly “holistic”. That’s an industry buzzword now, but they put their money where their mouths are, literally—insurance doesn’t cover things like massages or the complementary alternative medicines (eg cold plunge, red light therapy, sauna, lymphatic plates, etc) so the owner pays for these herself. The somatic focus was difficult for me at first as I had become so sedentary in my line of work, but their focus on helping me become comfortable *being* embodied was life changing. The morning ecotherapy walks through the neighborhood where we would feed and pet farm animals were my favorite part of the day. I could go on and on. If you or a loved one are struggling with mental health concerns, please give the gift of coming to this amazing facility. I very much feel like I have my self back and I am extraordinarily grateful.

This is a wonderful place to go to, to reconnect with yourself after experiencing trauma and not knowing right side up from down! They do their best to accommodate those with various autoimmune diseases such as diets,… alternative medicine modalities like vibration plates, red light therapy, yoga, breath work, sauna, etc. They worked with me and what my body would allow me to do, I’m photosensitive so being in the heat and sun was a challenge. They encouraged me to listen to my body and give it grace when and where needed. The house is very roomy, and comfortable. I felt safe and cared for while allowing my brain to just breathe. I definitely recommend checking this place out because it’s truly one of a kind! You can also tell that the staff absolutely care about you and the jobs they’re doing! The emphasis is on regulating the nervous system while reconnecting the mind and body after traumatic events. The therapists and doctor on staff are one of a kind, wonderful human beings. My experience has been life changing for the better. I’m continuing to take what I’ve learned and now apply it to my daily life as best that I can.

The property is one of a kind. The owner truly cares about the community and has so much grace and compassion for everyone she meets. If you want a place to heal, connect, recover and change your life, call them.

HIGHLANDS IN BLOOM - A SANCTUARY OF HOPE Last August, I had a life-changing and healing experience. The clinicians at the PHP that I was attending recommended that I undergo residential treatment. Besides being… hopeless, I was also skeptical, as the treatments I’ve tried barely alleviated my symptoms. Among three facilities, I chose Highlands in Bloom because of its location. Agoura Hills is a quiet little city nestled between the San Fernando Valley and Thousand Oaks. The expansive property itself is surrounded by ranches and walking trails, allowing for a space to breathe, contemplate, and appreciate nature. What sets Highlands in Bloom apart is its phenomenal staff! The psychiatrist and the therapists are brilliant, empathetic, and very knowledgeable. They were adept at identifying my negative thoughts and reframing them. The facilitators are compassionate, professional, accommodating, and focused on the well-being of their clients. I consider the staff to be the “jewel” of Highlands. All in all, the facility is well-equipped, making it an ideal setting for healing. The house is immaculate, well-appointed, and has good-sized rooms. There’s an additional room for the complementary modalities equipment. Outside, there’s a wide patio which is also used for groups, a pool, an infrared sauna, and a cold plunge. The house is encircled by a lush garden. Finally, there’s the barn, the focal point of the property and the center of treatment. It’s where most of the groups are held, including the somatic activities such as yoga, strength training, meditation, and sound bath. It’s a quiet and relaxing space. On hot days, yoga or resistance training is done in the pool. To ensure that clients are properly nourished, the facility employs the services of a professional chef who prepares most meals in accordance with Autoimmune Protocols to promote and sustain a healthy gut. After all, they call the gut our “second brain”. Weekdays begin with an ecotherapy walk, a great way to ground and connect with nature in the company of a therapist who checks in with each client. It clears and sets the mind and body for the day ahead. Typically, it’s a trip to the beach, hitting the trails, or the farmers' market on weekends. Family and friends are welcome to visit on Sunday afternoons. The overall environment is structured yet not rigid. The policies in place are designed to help clients maximize the benefits of the treatment and ensure their safety. The path to true healing is a two-way street. You get out what you put in. I actively participated in all the groups, exerted myself in the somatic activities, and consistently used the complementary modalities, including the sauna, cold plunge, red light therapy, PEMF, and the vibration board. I also established my own morning routine to maximize my stay, which included a three-mile walk within the property. Most of all, I kept an open mind. What did I gain from everything? I lost 16 pounds and regained my flexibility and mobility. More importantly, I felt stronger mentally and physically, and I came out hopeful, something that I’ve always struggled with. My healing is within reach. Ultimately, my skepticism gave way to belief and commitment. It is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I am eternally grateful for this gift of healing and to the wonderful people at Highlands in Bloom. If I am to encapsulate the essence of Highlands in one word, it would be HOPE.